She missed out on free ticket, but became devoted to museum

Veronica Carranza found herself first volunteering at the Women’s Museum of California three years ago, by way of Disney.

The company had a “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” program, allowing for a free day’s admission to 1 million guests who completed one day of volunteer work during that year. After looking through the list of places to volunteer locally, Carranza settled on the museum, but there was a problem when she went back to the program’s website to sign up.

“They already had their 1 million, so I felt like I had already made the commitment, and I was going to follow through on it,” she said. “And it was wonderful.”

Carranza, 40, is a kindergarten teacher at Valley Vista Elementary School in Bonita. She helps out as often as she can between work and spending time with her family, but she’s also been able to recruit her mother and sister to join her in volunteering. Of all of the organizations available on that list three years ago, the museum stood out.

“I thought it was interesting because I had never heard of a museum dedicated just to women,” she said.

Founded in 1983 under a different name, the Women’s Museum of California is a San Diego nonprofit with exhibits and displays on women’s history; workshops and lecture series; educational events including art shows; performances; a library and research archive; and a speakers bureau, according to the museum’s website.

Carranza and her mom and sister spend most of their time working on special events, such as the annual Wine, Chocolate & Cheese Festival, the Dia de los Museos (Day of the Museums) in Old Town, or Head to Toe Women’s Expo in Del Mar. Their duties can include setting up and cleaning up, working at tables to provide museum information to the public, modeling historic clothing for specific events, mending certain items, or working as cashiers.

“It’s just a little bit of everything and it’s like, ‘OK, where do you need us?’” she said. “I’ve gained more confidence and knowledge about the role that women have played in history.”

Do you know of a volunteer who should be in the spotlight? Contact Lisa Deaderick at (619) 293-2503, or lisa.deaderick@utsandiego.com